TTMA IN THE NEWS
Billion-dollar baby – TIC connects businesses, entrepreneurs
Since it was launched in 1999, the TT Manufacturers' Association (TTMA) Trade and Investment Convention (TIC) has connected businesses and buyers, investors and innovators, manufacturers and people, all under one roof, for trade collaboration. The convention has been a core event for many businesses which offer their goods and interact with stakeholders and potential investors to help their businesses grow. Now, some 25 years later, TIC has more to celebrate than its silver jubilee. While TTMA president Roger Roach said at its opening at Centre of Excellence in Macoya, on July 11, that TIC had generated more than US$900 million in revenue for exhibitors through business-to-business (B2B) deals, over the past quarter century, the TTMA confirmed, on July 16, that the figure was US$1 billion as of 2023. Read more here
‘SMEs getting real benefits from TIC’
Small businesses as well as regional exhibitors shone at last week’s Trade and Investment Convention (TIC), showcasing their vast array of products. Hosted by the T&T Manufacturers’ Association (TTMA), TIC has become one of the organisation’s signature events. From intricately handcrafted locally made jewellery to dasheen punch blended in Tobago to Barbadian rum cakes; they were all in display enticing the local palette, but more importantly attracting buyers to ensure viable trade relations and potentially growing the export capacity of T&T. TIC attracted 325 booths for the 2024 edition, which was more than last year. Read more here
NEWS
Heavy rain, flood in Penal, Barrackpore
It was their first major flooding event for the rainy season but plagued perennially by the occurrence, residents of Rock Road, Penal and its environs are calling for better drainage. Heavy rain began around 10 pm on July 16, with the passage of a tropical wave. While the rainfall lasted around three hours, its effects continued to be felt by many well into Wednesday. By 1 am, there were social media reports of street and flash floods across Penal, Debe and Barrackpore. Read more here
TTSPCA manager laments rise in animal cruelty
Operations manager of the Trinidad & Tobago Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (TTSPCA), Sara Maynard, says she has noticed an increase in animal cruelty, especially deliberate attacks. She has called for the implementation of the suggested regulations and the enforcement of the existing law. Her comment was in response to a video that surfaced on social media showing someone spraying a flammable substance on a kitten locked in a cage and setting it on fire. In the 28-second video, the black kitten can be seen running around the cage and screaming in pain as the perpetrators laugh. “Liar, liar, pants on fire ... Oh gosh, I go dead,” the person laughed. Read more here
POLITICS
Commissioner of Police shoots for 10% reduction in murders
Commissioner of Police (CoP) Erla Harewood-Christopher is aiming to reduce homicides by ten per cent in 2024 but is some way behind that target. She revealed the target as she addressed questions on her violent crime reduction plan while speaking at a media conference at the Police Administration Building, Port of Spain on July 14. Harewood-Christopher said the plan is a holistic one aimed at managing violent crime. “We are focusing on the dismantling of criminal gangs, the retrieval of illegal firearms, the eradication of drug blocks, and increased focus on transnational crime. We are enhancing our police intelligence capability. We are leveraging the use of technology to enhance police operations.” Read more here
BUSINESS
Tobago fisherfolk want outstanding $$
Fisherfolk in Tobago are demanding that outstanding payments be made for work done during the oil spill. President of the All Tobago Fisherfolk Association Curtis Douglas is calling on Minister of Energy and Energy Industries Stuart Young and Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley to have outstanding money owed to the fisherfolk and contractors paid for work done during the oil spill in Tobago. He said it has been six months since the incident and the situation is unacceptable. Tobago House of Assembly (THA) Finance Secretary Petal-Ann Roberts has, however, said the $50 million allocated for Tobago’s oil spill clean-up efforts has not been received from Central Government. The $50 million was previously announced by Finance Minister Colm Imbert during the mid-year budget review. And THA Chief Secretary Farley Augustine previously mentioned the amount was not sufficient to treat with the calculated losses of more than $100 million. Read more here
REGIONAL
‘We’re investing to serve the people of this region’
President Ali says, reiterates Guyana’s commitment to a ‘people-centred’ development strategy for the Caribbean SUBSTANTIAL investments are currently being made in various sectors in Guyana, with the aim of benefitting not only the people of Guyana but also the broader Caribbean region, as stated by President Dr. Irfaan Ali. “Everything we’re investing in this country is ultimately to serve the people of this region. The capacity that we are building and the investment that we are making, in health, in education, in security and transportation, and agriculture, all of this is to be deployed to serve the people of this region,” the Head of State said while engaging regional stakeholders recently. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Biden under new pressure from top Democrats as Covid halts campaign
President Joe Biden faces new questions over his candidacy in the November election - with his campaign events currently on pause due to a Covid-19 infection. The top two Democrats in the US Congress, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, are both reported to have met him individually to express concerns over his bid for the White House. Nancy Pelosi, the former House Speaker, has also privately told him that he cannot beat Donald Trump in November's election, according to CNN. Read more here
18th July 2024